Modern fast-food chains selling fried chicken with crispy skin and juicy meat are considered representative dishes of contemporary cuisine. However, the latest archaeological research reveals that the ancient Romans might actually be the pioneers of fast-food restaurants nearly 2,000 years ago. They flattened a small type of bird and deep-fried it, creating a quick and affordable street snack.
Although Roman diet mainly revolved around grains and legumes, archaeologists have found that Roman cuisine was incredibly diverse, with food vendors selling a variety of meats, fish, cheese, olive oil, exotic spices, and even cooked foods. This diversity was closely related to the prosperity of the Roman economy.
Archaeologists also discovered that birds symbolized economy, cooking, and social status in Roman dining culture. However, there have been differing opinions on the use of small birds like sparrows. Historical records indicate that these birds were both pets and delicacies enjoyed by the upper class, but their status and use among the common people still require further investigation.
A team of archaeologists from the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (UIB-CSIC) in Spain conducted archaeological research related to ancient Rome in the Pollentia region of northern Mallorca, Spain. This region was once one of the most active ports of ancient Rome, reaching its peak expansion between the 1st century BC and the 3rd century AD, covering an area of up to 20 hectares.
During the archaeological process, they unearthed a fast-food establishment similar to “KFC” and gained insights into the dining habits of people during the Roman era through the bones left in nearby deep pits. It was confirmed that sparrows were used as a common street snack resembling “fried chicken”. This discovery challenges traditional archaeological beliefs and was published at the end of May in the International Journal of Bone Archaeology.
The fast-food establishment discovered by the archaeology team was called “tabernae,” a type of small shop or store often frequented by the lower classes. Its appearance resembled a small wooden hut, where the owner would sell cheap food through a small window. Over time, as the Roman Empire expanded, these fast-food establishments became increasingly luxurious, offering not just bread, wine, and meat but also jewelry and clothing.
The history of this fast-food establishment site can be traced back to the heyday of the Roman Empire, approximately 2,000 to 2,100 years ago. It had an underground drainage system and was accompanied by a garbage pit with a diameter of 1.2 meters and a depth of 3.9 meters.
At the bottom of the pit, archaeologists found layers of gray mud, charcoal, and sand, scattered with a significant amount of garbage and food residues related to daily life. During the excavation process, they discovered at least 3,963 animal remains and estimated the use of the trash pit for about 40 years.
Analysis of these remains revealed that the consumed animals mainly included pigs (1,151), rabbits (853), sheep or goats (218), and cattle (104). Additionally, among the remains were 165 sparrows, 126 domestic chickens, 7 pigeons, 678 fish, and 642 marine shellfish.
In-depth research on the bird bones at the bottom of the pit indicated that most of them were crushed but showed no signs of cutting or burning, suggesting they were not roasted or boiled but rapidly deep-fried. Customers would discard the bones into the pit after consuming the birds.
The archaeology team pointed out that although birds accounted for a smaller proportion in Roman cuisine compared to other livestock, sparrows were previously believed to be reserved for the Roman “elite” (nobles, wealthy classes) only. However, this archaeological discovery demonstrates that these birds were processed and sold in a commercial setting, becoming a street snack for the common people, reshaping the archaeological understanding.
Dr. Alejandro Valenzuela, a researcher at the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, stated, “The research shows that sparrows were very common in the ancient Roman urban areas, where they were frequently bought, sold, and consumed. This contradicts written records and perceptions that sparrows were exclusively luxurious foods for the elite in banquets.”
Dr. Valenzuela continued, “Classical literature often describes these birds as delicacies served at elite banquets, usually prepared with exquisite culinary techniques. However, the sparrow bones found in the garbage pit show that they were commonly processed and sold in a commercial environment, consumed by people of all social classes as street food snacks.”
He explained that this method was documented in classical and medieval sources, requiring only “simple butchering for quick serving,” and stated, “This study not only reassesses the role of sparrows in Roman dietary habits but also emphasizes the importance of street food economy in ancient urban centers.”